Figure 2

Principle response curves showing trajectories of (a) total stem density, (b) stem density without height class one (< 10 cm), (c) maximum heights of trees along the first RDA axis over an 18-year period and (d) maximum heights over a 24-year period, contrasting fenced plots (-·-·-) to open control plots ( , depicted as reference line); the second y-axis represents single species scores on the first RDA axis. Species with the same algebraic sign as the overall response curve show a corresponding response to a treatment; species with scores about zero (matching to the reference line) do not respond to the treatment or show distinctly differing response patterns; species with a opposite sign than the overall community response (-·-·-) are negatively correlated to the overall response curve. Stem number PRCs (a,b) correspond to basic stem number patterns, but fencing is non-significant in terms of permutation testing. Aal Abies alba, Aps Acer pseudoplatanus, Bpe Betula pendula, Fex Fraxinus excelsior, Fsy Fagus sylvatica, Lde Larix decidua, Msy Malus sylvaticus, Pab Picea abies, Pav Prunus avium, Psy Pinus sylvestris, Qsp Quercus sp., Sar Sorbus aria, Sau Sorbus aucuparia, Sca Salix caprea, Tba Taxus baccata, Ugl Ulmus glabra. Please note the different, scaled y-axes in the diagrams.